First marriage at 19. We were young and I was too immature to make it work. It ended and was 80% my fault. Divorced at 22.

Second marriage was a rebound and total mistake. I got her pregnant within months after my divorce from wife 1. Turns out, she was (is) a raging alcoholic. But I got a beautiful now 15 year old girl out of it. Divorced at 26.

Third time I took my time and got to know her… married at 27 and she totally changed the second we said I do. Turns out, she has an extensive family history of bipolar. I kind of suspected it with her dad but never imagined she would start acting like that. I couldn’t do it. She would drink and want to physically fight. I made it to 31.

I decided I would never get married again. I dated some girls I really liked… but was quick to run. Then I gave up on dating for good. Was single almost 3 years before I met my wife. She stated at my work. We dated for 3 years. She lived with me. I had and have no plans of us never being together. Marriage was my last priority after the above listing. I knew it was important to her and so I asked her 2 years ago. We own a business together, she’s full time step mom to my daughter who lives with us and while we have little bumps, we both communicate and work through issues. Happiest I’ve ever been and easily the most stable relationship I’ve ever experienced. She’s patient and kind and I’m pretty type A. We balance each other.